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'No evidence' of autism-MMR link
There is no evidence linking the combined mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine to autism, according to a study published today.
The research, conducted by Guy's Hospital, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and Manchester University, examined the blood of 240 children for evidence of an abnormal immune response to the vaccine. Researchers compared the results from children with and without autism, and also those with special educational needs, finding no difference between the three groups.
The study, part-funded by the government and published today in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, is one of many that appears to disprove a link between autism and the MMR vaccine first suggested in 1998. When published by The Lancet, the 1998 research caused a slump in the uptake of the combined jab from which vaccination levels are yet to fully recover.
'The study found no evidence linking MMR to autistic spectrum disorder and the paper adds to the overwhelming body of evidence from around the world supporting the use of MMR,' said HPA researcher Dr David Brown.
However, some campaigners remain sceptical. Jackie Fletcher from Justice, Awareness and Basic Support (Jabs) told BBC News: 'It is making a leap from having the actual data on the antibodies [to] saying MMR does not cause autism.'
Category: Health
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